Rev. Dr. Wendy Ella May made it official Wednesday, she is running for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. May filed for office at the Johnston County Board of Elections Office in Smithfield.
Dr. May is the first open LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) candidate to run for elected office in Johnston County. May will challenge one-term incumbent Commissioner Ted Godwin of Selma for the District 2 seat.
May, a farmer, who lives in the Micro community, said “The number of issues facing our County daunts us all.” Among the issues May is concerned with include providing more assistance to Veterans, women’s rights, equality, public education, support the middle class, immigration, healthcare and the environment.
May also signed a pledge not to enter into any negative campaigning. “In past elections I have been subjected to negative attacks and false claims about my character, my values and my ability… I believe mudslinging and dirty politics distracts from important discussions about issues and public policy… I intend to run my campaign as I always have – positive, upbeat and respectful of the voters and my opponent.”
May has a long history of public service as a volunteer on local, county, state and national organizations.
A disabled US Army veteran and a member of the Disabled American Veterans, May is the retired founding priest of the Bradley Beach Community Church in New Jersey, founding director of M.E.N.D. 4 Male Survivors of Military Sexual Assault, and the retired President of the US New Methodist Episcopal Orthodox Religious Order and Churches.
May has also founded the MEND I AM Program and the Transformation Veterans Retreat Center in Selma. She is a member of the LGBT Democrats of North Carolina, Democratic Women of North Carolina, and Democratic Women of Johnston County. WTSB Photo
